Lesnar would rebound from a life-threatening bout of diverticulitis, not only avoiding surgery but making a thunderous return to the octagon at UFC 116 when he defeated interim champion Shane Carwin. Check out more of the best of 2010

— Will Cooling, Inside Fights

The kingpins at 185 and 170 pounds kept on winning, albeit in very different ways. If both can keep on winning in 2011 then fans should finally get to see the match that will determine who is MMA’s Pound for Pound king.

— Will Cooling, Inside Fights

The 10-year unbeaten streak of the legendary and controversial Russian heavyweight came to a shocking end in June when Fabricio Werdum forced Emelianenko to tap within minutes of the opening bell after catching him in a triangle choke.

— Will Cooling, Inside Fights

Few gave Frankie Edgar much of chance of dethroning Penn at UFC 112. And yet the 8-1 underdog would not only narrowly outpoint the longtime champion in Abu Dhabi, he would also comprehensively outclass him in the rematch at UFC 118.

— Will Cooling, Inside Fights

After several disappointing matches on the undercard, the event’s main event saw marquee signing Dan Henderson lose to the UFC-bound Jake Shields. Poor ratings coupled with a post-main event brawl may well have spelled the end for Strikeforce appearing on CBS.

— Will Cooling, Inside Fights

For all the immense contribution that those of Mexican heritage have made to the fight game, there had never been a Mexican heavyweight champion until Cain Velasquez stopped Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 to become the UFC champion.

— Will Cooling, Inside Fights

Sonnen seemed set to get a second shot at Anderson Silva, but that all changed when it was revealed that he had a failed a pre-fight test for testosterone, once again raising the question of how prevalent the use of performance enhancing substances is in MMA.

— Will Cooling, Inside Fights

Strikeforce’s matchmaking often failed to make sense in 2010, with numerous major stars refusing to accept the fights on offer. Worryingly, the problems were most apparent in the heavyweight division that Strikeforce hopes to be its premier attraction in 2011.

— Will Cooling, Inside Fights

It may have been delayed by several months due Jackson’s movie commitments, but at UFC 114 Jackson and Evans finally settled their differences in one of the biggest fights of the year.

— Will Cooling, Inside Fights

The announcement in November that WEC was to fold and its fighters join an expanded UFC with new bantamweight and featherweight champions will have profound consequences on the future of MMA in 2011.

— Will Cooling, Inside Fights